Toothbrush



Nov; 20, 1923. 1,475,102

' R. M. WITHYCOMBE TOOTHBRUQSH Filed 'June' 6-, 1922 Patented Nov. 20, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrica.

TOOTHBBUSH.

Application filed June 8, 1922. Serial No. 568,284.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ronnn'r Monsn Wrrnr- COMBE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Sydney, in the State of New South Wales, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toothbrushes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to brushes for cleaning the teeth or massaging the gums in which the frictional surface is composed of soft rubber.

The object of the present invention is to provide a brush which can be constructed at comparatively low cost and in which the frictional surface is readily removable.

According to the invention, I take a narrow strip of soft rubber and divide it into serrations or filaments for a portion of its width. The strip is then wound on a former, preferably of elongated shape, under tension, the parallel or concentric layers or windings, but not the filaments, being suitably cemented or secured together.

The wound strip is then removed, the serrations or filaments forming the frictional surface. The handle or holder has a stem at the end of which is an extension having integral or secured thereon, a rigid base or core piece, approximately corresponding in shape to the said former on which base the wound strip or frictional surface is sprung so as to be held thereon.

I now refer to the accompanying sheet of drawings which illustrate one form of my invention,

Figure 1 bein a perspective view of a tooth brush ma e in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of a portion of a. handle having core pieces on an extension thereof.

2 corresponding Figure 3 represents in lan view a fragment of rubber strip divi ed into filaments for a portion of its width.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan of the wound strip after removal from a former, while Figure 5 is a section on line A-B, Figure 4.

The same numerals indicate the same or parts.

The stri of rubber7 is cut for aportion of its width into a series of filaments or serrations 8 and the strip wound under tension on a suitable former into an elongated shape, the adjacent folds or windiiilgs being cemented or secured together. ldway in the space 9 left on removal -of the former I refer to insert a spacer piece 10 and secure it by an aluminium or other metal fastening 11. The wound strip is then sprung onto the pieces 12, 12, rigid or integral with the extension 13 of the handle 14 so that the filaments form the frictional surfaces of the brush. The wound strip is readily removable for cleaning purposes or for replacing with a new wound strip.

I claim 1. A tooth or massage brush comprising a handle, having a pair of spaced lugs thereon. a strip of rubber serrated on one edge and wound upon itself under tension and sprung upon said lugs.

2. A tooth or massage brush comprising a handle, havinga pair of spaced lugs thereon, a strip of rubber serrated on one edge and wound upon itself under tension and sprung upon said lugs, a spacer piece centrally of said rubber, and a. fastening holding said spacer piece in lace.

In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand.

ROBERT MORSE WITHYCOMBE. 

